NOTE: "HOME" takes you to our
initial home page; "UP" will return you
to the Alaska 2004 touring site
for more exploring.
Saturday, 4 September: Fairbanks – We began our exploration of Fairbanks at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks Museum. It was an outstanding museum which has exhibits pertaining to Alaska’s history, geology, its peoples and animals. The museum has an audio program so you can listen to detailed descriptions as well as various sounds of nature (i.e., whales calling). It was a great way to enjoy the morning. In the afternoon, we went to the Large Animal Research Station, again part of the UAF system. The researches are studying and breeding musk oxen. They also have a herd of caribou under study. We listened to an hour lecture regarding work done at the Station. During the lecture we got great close-up views of both creatures. Finally, we decided to have another look at the Alaska pipeline north of town. Again, it was amazing to see what was built to move the oil from the North Slope of Alaska to Valdez.
Click on the image to display a larger photo. Once
displayed,
click on the BACK button (first button on the left of
your browser)
to return to this page.
 |
Lindy in the
University parking lot; check |
Sunday, 5 September: Fairbanks – We decided to spend a few hours at Pioneer Park, a collection of old buildings removed from downtown Fairbanks to make a theme park/family park. The highlight was an aviation museum crammed full of great memorabilia. One of the volunteer curators told us all about the life of Carl Ben Eielson, an Alaskan bush pilot and aviator who died on an attempted rescue of stranded climbers in Siberia. After finishing at the park we quit touring to do laundry, business work, pick up email, etc. before heading to King Salmon and No See Um Lodge.
Click on the image to display a larger photo. Once
displayed,
click on the BACK button (first button on the left of
your browser)
to return to this page.
 |
Pioneer Park boardwalk |
 |
Another view at Pioneer Park |
(Beginning Monday, 6 September through the afternoon of Monday, 13 September we enjoyed NO SEE UM LODGE before returning to Fairbanks to begin our trip home).
Tuesday, 14 September: Leaving Alaska - Today we started our trek home. We left Fairbanks and drove to Tok, Alaska. It was 25 degrees when we left and it snowed the entire day but thankfully nothing stuck to the roads. We again stayed at Young’s Motel and enjoyed Fast Eddie’s restaurant.
Wednesday & Thursday, 15 & 16 September: Whitehorse, Yukon Territories – We left on Wednesday and headed into the Yukon Territories. We again had snow flurries en route to Whitehorse. We spent an extra day here relaxing and enjoying the towns Visitor Center and Main Street shopping.
Friday, 17 September: Watson Lake, Yukon Territory – We spent the day driving to the southern border of the Yukon Territory. Again, the snow fell but didn’t stick to the road. En route we saw lots of wildlife including wild buffalo, caribou, golden eagle, a fox and lots of hawks. We arrived late day at Watson Lake, our stop for the night.
Click on the image to display a larger photo. Once
displayed,
click on the BACK button (first button on the left of
your browser)
to return to this page.
 |
Wild Buffalo near the AlCan |
 |
Caribou along the AlCan |
Saturday, 18 September: Fort Nelson, British Columbia – We drove through about one-third of British Columbia to reach the town of Fort Nelson. We were still being chased by snow but it was definitely getting lighter.
Sunday, 19 September: Dawson Creek, British Columbia – We thought that the snow was lessening but today it was really nasty, especially going over passes. We encountered both snow pack and ice. Thankfully, however, as we reached Dawson Creek we left that mess behind. Dawson Creek is significant because it is mile 0 of the 1,488 mile AlCan Highway to Fairbanks! So, we did it – we drove the AlCan without incident and had a great understanding of what a feat it was to construct and ultimately pave this roadway.
Click on the image to display a larger photo. Once
displayed,
click on the BACK button (first button on the left of
your browser)
to return to this page.
 |
Snow at Summit Lake Pass |
 |
A flock of sandhill cranes migrating south to Texas |
 |
We did it!! Mile 0 marker for the AlCan Highway |
Monday – Saturday, 20-25
September: Heading
Home – We spent the next six days (five nights) returning home to Cedar
Crest. We didn’t do any touring
but focused on getting home after an almost three month absence!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We truly savored our Alaska Adventure and will continue to do so for many, many years. It’s just an incredible place that defies description. You simply have to go there! We’re definitely headed back in 2005!!
.